There’s truly no place like home.
By Ashima Sethi
Let’s face it. The COVID-19 pandemic is truly a once-in-a-lifetime crisis. Although we can’t be sure when the outbreak will come to an end, or if we’re on the brink of a second wave, we can’t stress enough that if you want to play your part in minimising the number of infected, PLEASE STAY HOME. Social distancing not only protects yourself, it protects your loved ones, too. To help with the arduous task of sitting at home more than you’ve had to before, here’s some ideas of fun things you can do without leaving the house.
A FOR EFFORT
Instead of letting your brain turn to mush, dedicate some time to learning something new. If you’ve always dreamt of being fluent in a language, sign up for Duolingo. Small business owners should join The Huddle, a free platform of virtual classes and workshops taught by experts in fields like PR and investing. Moreover, Ivy League Universities are offering 450 free online courses on Class Central.
LET’S GOGH
Skip the long queues and visit some of the world’s best museums from the comfort of your couch. Options include the famed J Paul Getty Museum in L.A., the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Louvre in Paris, and London’s National Gallery.
SPRING CLEANING
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. Being stuck at home and working on your own schedule actually provides great opportunity to do some much-needed re-organising (especially since we Indians are such massive hoarders). Remember, your home is your sanctuary, so put on Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix for some inspiration and get cleaning!
COOK UP A STORM
If you need to brush up on your skills in the kitchen, this is the perfect time. YouTube provides a great platform for cooking guides. We also recommend our magazine’s Home Kitchen section. Available in print and online, it offers ‘Tasty-style’ video tutorials and diverse recipes.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
In this highly stressful time it’s imperative to make sure you keep fit. Platforms like ClassPass are offering a plethora of free virtual courses. Similarly, YouTube trainers, like MadFit, can become your best friends if you’re looking for workouts that require no equipment. If you prefer looking inward to beat the stress, apps likeInsight Timer, Aura, Calm and Headspace feature free guided meditation.
FAMILY BONDING
Being home with the kids 24/7 might be totally new for some of you and although it might seem like a big task, there’s plenty you can do to keep your little ones busy. For example, arts and crafts projects, Read-at-Home bingo (where the kids cross off a bingo square after they’ve completed a reading task), watching zoo livestreams together, playing board games, and more.
SIGN, SEALED, DELIVERED
Many popular restaurants are now offering home delivery. Exciting choices include JUA, Punjab Grill, TAAN, L’Oliva Bangkok, and many, many more! Pair your meal with tipples from Wishbeer, Craftnation, or Craft Delivery Thailand, or a bottle of wine via the Virtual Wine Cellar app, Wine Connection or Refill Social
TUNE IN
Artists and DJs across the globe have been forced to cancel upcoming tours and festivals appearance. As a result, many of them are now hosting virtual concerts via their social media platforms, so why not dress up and transform your living room into your very own Coachella?
COOK UP A STORM
If you need to brush up on your skills in the kitchen, this is the perfect time. YouTube provides a great platform for cooking guides. We also recommend our magazine’s Home Kitchen section. Available in print and online, it offers ‘Tasty-style’ video tutorials and diverse recipes.
